A delegation of Opposition parties, led by the former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, on Monday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking an immediate ban on pellet guns and his intervention in ending the unrest in the State. According to reports 14% of pellet gun victims in Kashmir are below 15.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the meeting with the delegation led by former J-K chief minister Omar Abdullah, expressed ‘deep concern and pain’ over the prevailing situation in Kashmir.

PM Modi told the opposition leaders of Jammu and Kashmir that those who lost their lives during the unrest are part of us, our nation. Appealing for restoration of normalcy, the Prime Minister also said there has to be a dialogue and we need to find a permanent solution to the problem within the framework of the Constitution.

The delegation informed the Prime Minister of the ground situation in the state, ever since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani over a month ago, on July 8. Close to seventy people – including security personnel – have been killed in clashes between protesters and security forces in the Valley.

The delegation included CPI-M MLA Mohammed Yusuf Tarigami, state Congress president GA Mir, senior leaders of the National Conference and some Independent MLAs.

They also highlighted the alleged failure of the PDP-BJP government led by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, saying that she should stop dealing with the situation administratively since it was causing disaffection, especially among the youth.

On Sunday, Omar Abdullah met President Pranab Mukherjee, apprising him of the situation in the Valley.